There's an ad on SparkleShelf for a hair styling Web site that may be helpful:
thehairstyler.com

Darkened love, I've faced your challenge before. I grew up in a small town where the stylists were still doing the same cuts/hairdos from past decades. It seemed as if I had to teach my stylist to give me something new. As per what others have suggested so far: you can travel to and seek out a stylist in a larger town or you can go online to Web sites that show styles on your face. Another suggestion -- and what I used to do -- is page through People, Us and fashion magazines. I'd look for celebrities and/or models that looked as if they had face shape/hair similar to mine, and then I'd take those photos to the stylist. The main thing to watch for is hair type. If you have thin, fine hair look for models with thin, fine hair. You'd look good in any of the "Friends" TV show hairstyles. They're still in fashion and they've been around awhile so even small-town stylists usually know how to do them. Bringing photos with multiple views of the same style is helpful to the stylist.

It sounds like you're a lot closer to Montreal than to NYC. There must be tons of great salons there. It might be worth the trip a couple times a year to get a fabulous cut.

No, unfortunately I don't live around Manhattan. I'm on the other side of the state. Upstate NY. The only problem I have is that there's no real variety in hair styles around here. Everything is pretty much plain.

Do you live in / near Manhattan? My stylist there created fabulous hairdos for me -- when I had both very long and very short hair. Let me know and I'll give you her name. My tip: find a stylist who can give you the best look based on your hair type, thickness, length, your lifestyle, your styling preferences. How to? When I see someone with hair similar to mine (thickness, texture, length) I ask them: "Who is your stylist?" Best luck.

Go to this site and upload a picture, play around with it and see if you like yourself in any of the styles and colors: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeover

Thanks for the advice. : ] I'll have to think on the blond idea. Not so sure I'm ready to go blond. What kind of blond were you thinking? And I haven't had bangs in forever. Might be a nice new change. I'll have to see whens the next time I can get into one of the good salon's in the mall. I don't want Mom's normal hair stylist to mess up my hair more than he already does. I never realized that I really do have a big forehead.

Yes! Bangs! I would love to have them but I have frizzy hair and a low forehead. How about long, sideswept bangs?

you also look like you have a good 4-5 finger forehead- i bet you would look great in bangs

I think you would look great as a blonde. You need more layers to control it more. If its thick have them thin it some. It looks like you have a lot of damage. I'm sure if you go in the cosmo will tell you you need to have several inches cut off for it to look and feel healthy. Once the damaged hair is cut off you will be able to control the texture more. Try using Aveda's dry remedy shampoo and conditioner. When styling try TIGI Catwalk's curl booster and curl activator or Aveda's curl control. If you don't have the money to go buy any of that try doing a deep conditioning treatment with mayo: slather hair with mayo(it has a lot of cholesterol in it which is good for your hair) and then wrap your head with saran wrap, then apply some heat. Always make sure you are rinsing your hair with cool water to seal in the hair cuticle and helping to prevent frizz. But I think you can pull off shorter hair just fine- you have a cute face.

The salon that I go to does all kinds of Kérastase hair treatments. It's supposed to be great for damaged hair. I'm considering doing one. Here's a link to the product site, which lists treatments and salons that do them. Just a thought.
http://www.kerastase-usa.com/_en/_us/conso/home/home.aspx

Yeah, my hair was dead for a while and my hair dresser cut it short, but I like it long. The problem with me and short cuts is the shape of my face and the dreaded underchin. If I don't have hair hanging down around my face it looks really pudgy. And, if I don't straighten it then it's usually just a big, poofy, curly/wavy tangle.

Oh, and no, I don't go there. I live in a pretty small area so any hair dye that's done is usually in a salon or at home, and the salon's have their own colors. I'd have to buy the manic panic color online since the one place that does sell their colors doesn't have carry Enchanted Forest.

Hmmm...so much to consider. One thing I will say is that I straightened my curly hair for a few years, and it eventually felt like straw. I went the Vidal Sasoon salon and had they said it all had to come off! I let them give me a short cut, and it looked pretty good. I decided to grow it back, which took forever and day, but it is so much, much, healthier and softer now. I can do lots of curly/wavy hair thinstyles with it. I don't straighten it any more. I do color it, but I don't lighten it because I don't want to strip the hair.

I used to go to Manic Panic on St. Mark's when I was a teenager, like a million years ago. Is that where you go to get the hair color?